Land leveler



July 22, 1924.

- A. PURVIANCE LAND LEVELER Filed May 14, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 BYQ 1 ATTORNEY INVENTOR. w 7 Alberl Purvllarc/ce Patented July 22, 1624:.

estates ALBERT PURVIANCE, OF LINDEN, CALIFORNIA.

LAND LEVELER.

Application filed May 14,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Linden, county of-San Joaquin, State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Land Levelers; and I do declare the following to be a. full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this application.

This invention relates to improvements in land scraping and leveling devices, and particularly to those of relatively large size, the principal object being to provide a ma chine of this character, adapted to be drawn by a tractor, by means of which large amounts of dirt may be scraped, handled and distributed where needed, with the expenditure of a. relatively small amount of power in doing the work.

A second object is to construct the machine in such a manner that even in the largest sizes the scraping member may be easily manipulated, to set the same in its various positions with but very little physical effort being needed.

A further object is to provide means for enabling the operators of scraping; transporting a load clear of the ground; clumping the dirt and at the same time spreading the dirt to various depths, may all be carried out expeditiously and with equal facility.

These objectsI accomplish by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims. I

In the drawings similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the machine, showing thesame in loading position.

Fig.2 is a rear end View of the same.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the scraping bowl and certain mechanisms co-operating therewith, showing the bowl in a load transporting position.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawings, the numeral 1 denotes the longitudinal frames of the machine, supported at the front end on a swivel-wheel truck 2 having a drawbar 3 for connection to a tractor, and at the rear end by fixed wheels 4.

1923. Serial No. 638,804.

Positioned between the frames and interinedlate the front and rear wheels is the scraping bowl 5 having bottom, back and side plates 6, 7 and 8 respectively, with a cutting or scraping blade 9 along the front edge of the plate 6, all being suitably connected together to form. a rigid structure.

The rear end of the bowl is free to move upwardly, but is held from downward movement below a certain point by reason of chains 10 attached to the plate 6 adjacent its rear end and extending thence upwardly to connections with a transverse member 1 of the frames 1 behind the bowl. These chains are of sufficient strength to sustain the weight of the rear end of the bowl when loaded.

Draft bars 11 are pivoted to the side plates 8 at predetermined points and extend forwardly thereof, having at their forward ends links 12 or similar flexible members which are secured 'to another transverse frame-beam 1 Pivoted on the side plates 8 adjacent the forward end thereof and somewhat below the normal level of the pivotal connection of the bars 11 therewith are vertical bars 13 having on their upper ends rack pins 14; meshing with gear'wheels 15, mounted on a shaft 16 extending across the machine above the bowl and supported from auxiliary frame members 17.

This shaft is rotated at will from a hand wheel 18, suitable gearing of a standard nature being of course interposed between and connected to the shaft 16 and the shaft 19 on which the wheel 18 is mounted.

The bars 13 while permitted longitudinal swivel movement, are held constantly adjacent the gears 15 by rollers 20.

As previously stated the rear end of the bowl is free to move upwardly, but is prevented from such movement when desired by reason of a lug 21 projecting rearwardly from the plate? and positioned to be overhung by a latch bar 22 slidably mounted on the transverse beams 1 and 1 formovement longitudinally of the m a c h i n e. Spring means 23 act to hold the bar 22 over the lug 21, the spring pressure being overcome at will and the bar 22 moved away from the lug by a suitably arranged lever mechanism 24 actuated by a pedal 25 projecting'above the operating platform. 26. It is to be understood that there are as many of these lugs and latch bars as may bowl.

If the bars 13 are then caused to=be TflJSBCl,

be deemed necessary. Attached to the plate 7 adjacent the upper end thereof is a relatively light chain or flexible cable 27 which passes around a pulley 28 supported above the bowl and thence around a drum 29 -and keep the cable 27 taut.

A band foot-brake structure of ordinary character as indicated at 3-3 is also provided as part of the drum unit.

The operation of he device is as follows:

Assuming that the initial operation to-b'e performed is that of loading the bowl, the bars 13 are lowered bymanipulation:of the handwheel 18 to cause the blade 9 to bite into the dirt the desired distance, when with the forward movement of the machine the dirt will be sheared olfandpassed back into the bowl. \Vith this forwar movement the tendency of the bowl is to upset forwardly about the connection of the bars 13 with the bowl as an axis, but this tendency is prevented by reason of the normal engagement of the latch and lug structure. lVhen a load has been gathered-and it is desired to transport the same a desired. distance before dumping, the blade is raised clear \of the ground by raisin-gap the bars .13, and the load is carried by the Wheels instead-of being dragged along in contact with the ground; The weight of the loaded bowl itselfi's takenbothbyathebars 13 and chains 10.

When it is desired to dump, the :bla'de is again lowered into contact with the ground, and the latch :22 withdrawnfrom c-enga'gement with :the lug '21. This allows the bowl-to tilt-or upset forwardly as previously indicated, with the continued'forward movement of the mach'ine,until the normally hori' zontal bottom plate 6 assumes a vertical position at the rear end of the bowl, and

the connecting points of the bars 1 3 with the bowl are shifted somewhat to the rear also, the draft bars 11 then acting to prevent longitudinal rearward movement of the or brace 5 rofthe 'bowl,'w hich is at the-normalty upper and forward end thereof, and

forms a stop for the ba'rs.

jFMIf hel raising of the bars 13 will then cause the bowl to rock about the connection of the links 512 with the beam 1 as an axis,

since as above stated, the beam 5* is "bearing against the bars 11 and cannot descend, while at the same time said bars tend to move upwardly. This arrangement gives a temporary but rigid pivotal bearing for the forward end of the bowl, enabling the rear end to be accurately controlled and raised or lowered to a nicety, as is necessary for successful spreading operations.

As the bars 13 and the bowl are thus to the ground in that position by lowering on the bars 13. Upon the return of the bowl to normal, the latch is manipulated 1 to again engage the lug so that the blade may then be l'oweredand the loading opera tion repeated.

' The cable 27 restrains the bowlsduring its return movement from dropping too suddenly and straining and possibly breaking the chains 10, the brake 33 being an additional means for preventing too rapid a rotation of the cable-drums if the bowl has been raised to its fullheightand consequently acquires a greater momentum in its drop. It will be evident that this -same structure however aids .in the upsetting movement.

It will be evident thatthe rear end-offthe bowl when the latter is lowered is theonly portion which actually returns automatically at all times to its true normal position, which is that at which the slack on the chains 10 is all taken up, :since the setting of the .blade depends 1110011 the position to which thebars. .13 have been moved. 1

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that l have produced such a device as substantially fulfills theobjects of the invention as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims. I

Having thus descri b'ed my invention, what I claim as new and useful and desire to secure iby Letters Patent is:

1. A land .leveler comprising a wheel-supported frame,-aibowl arrange-din connection therewith and having a cutting blade at its lower :forward end, means for. raising and lowering the blade-end of the zbOW-l at will, means normally supporting the rear end of the bowl independently of the forward end and means whereby when the blade is moved into engagement with the ground the bowl may upset forwardly with the forward movement of the frame and means whereby the bowl may be then righted while still suspended and be lowered to the ground by gravity. 2. A structure as in claim 1, automati cally acting means being provided for restricting the speed of return movement of the bowl. o

3. A structure as in claim 1, in which a spring-controlled tension member is connected to the rear end of the bowl for restricting the speed of return movement of the same while aiding the upsetting-thereof.

4. A land leveler comprising a wheel-supported frame, a bowl arranged in connection therewith and having a cutting blade at its lower forward end, means for raising and lowering the blade end of the bowl at will, means normally supporting the rear end of the bowl independently of the forward end, the bowl being arranged to upset automatically upon contact with the front end thereof with the ground, and means whereby when the bowl is in said upset position a raising of the raising means to a predetermined point will cause the bowl to be righted.

5. A land leveler comprising a wheel supported frame, a bowl arranged in connection therewith and having a cutting blade at its lower forward end, means for raising and lowering the blade end of the bowl at will, means normally supporting the rear end of the bowl independently of the forward end, the bowl being arranged to upset automatically upon contact with the front end thereof with the ground, and means whereby when the bowl is in said upset position, a raising thereof will cause the front end of the bowl to be supported against downward movement and the bowl to rock about a point adjacent said end as an axis.

6 A land leveler comprising a wheelsupported frame, a bowl arranged in connection therewith and having a cutting blade at its lower forward end, means for raising and lowering the. blade end of the bowl at will, means normally supporting the rear end of the bowl independently of the forward end, the bowl being arranged to upset automatically upon contact with the front end thereof with the ground, and means whereby when the bowl is in said upset position, a raising thereof to a predetermined point will cause the front end of the bowl to be supported against downward movement and the bowl to rock about a point adjacent said end as an axis, and a further raising will hold the cutting end against upward movement and cause the bowl to be righted.

7. A land leveler comprising a wheelnection therewith and having a cutting blade at its lower forward end, means for raising and lowering the blade end of the bowl at will, means normally supporting the rear end of the bowl independently of the forward end, normally horizontal and flexible members pivoted to the bowl and extending forwardly thereof to" a flexible connection with the frame and transversely disposed stop means on the bowl above and in the path of movement of said flexible members.

9. A land leveler comprising a wheelsupported frame, a bowl arranged in connection therewith and having a cutting blade at its lower forward end, means for raising and lowering the blade end of the bowl at will, flexible members connected to the frame behind the bowl and to the latter adjacent its normally rear and lower end, normally horizontal and flexible members pivoted to the bowl and extending forwardly thereof to a flexible connection with the frame, and transversely disposed stop means on the bowl above and in the path of movement of said horizontal members.

10. A structure as in claim 1, means independent of the supporting means being provided for restricting the speed of return movement of the bowl.

11. A land leveler comprising a frame, a bowl arranged in connection therewith, means for raising and lowering the front end of the bowl, means whereby when said end is moved into engagement with the ground the bowl may upset, and means whereby with the manipulation of the raising means when the bowl is in its upset position, said bowl may be righted.

12. A land leveler comprising a frame, a

bowl arranged in connection therewith, means for raising and lowering the front end of the bowl, the latter being arranged to upset automatically through a are upon contact of the front end thereof with the ground, and means whereby when the bowl is in said upset position, a certain raising thereof will cause the front end of the bowl to be supported against downward movement and the bowl to rock forwardly about a point adjacent said end as an axis;

and a furtherraising of the bowlwillhold the opposite end against upward movement and allow the front-end to move'andeause the bowl to rock rearwardlyabout a point adjacent said oppositeend as anaxis.

7 13. A land levelereomprising a frame a bowl arranged in connection therewith, means for raising and :lowering'the front end of the bowl flexible inembersnormally taut connected :to the frame behind the bowl and depending from the frame to the bowl at its rearlower end to normally support the same normally horizontal and flexible members pivoted to the bowl and ex tending forwardly thereof to a connection with the frame, stop means on the bowl above said horizontal members and adapted to abut against the same when the bowl is upset to prevent further lowering of the adj aeent end of the latter, and means whereby if :the bowl is then lifted by'the raising means said first named flexible members will assume a taut position the opposite of that normally had tothen prevent further upward movement of the adjacent end of the bowl.

14. A land leveler comprising a frame, a bowl arranged in connection therewith, vertically movable members pivoted on the sides of the bowl adjacent the forwardends and below the center of height thereof, substantially horizontal and Qflexible members attached torthe ifra'me aheadof the bowl and to the sides of the latter, andanother flexible member attached to the frame behind the bowlfand depending thence to a connection with the'rear lower end of the bowl to normally support the same.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

' ALBERT "PURVIANCE. 

